Neuroshima Hex is not a new game, per se. It has, however, recently upgraded its gameplay significantly with an update that brings online multiplayer to the title. Now, players can play Neuroshima Hex with other players via the internet instead of having to play against AI opponents or with friends by passing their iPad back and forth. While a multiplayer option has been conspicuously missing from this title in the past and has since been added to other similar titles, with this update, Neuroshima Hex brings something that many complex board game ports haven't: asynchronous play. This means that players playing an online game of Hex don't all need to be online together, playing the game in real time. They can take their turn, go do something else, and will be alerted when it is their turn again. This new feature makes multiplayer gameplay so much more manageable and accessible than it would be otherwise and it represents an entirely new way to play Neuroshima Hex.

While the essence of online play that has been added to this title is refreshing and invigorating, there are some small setbacks. As of the first few days since the update adding online multiplayer games there doesn't look to be many players with which games can be created, so setting up a game can take some time and patience. Once a game has been set up, though, it works very well with anywhere from two to four players all playing asynchronously. Loading the multiplayer interface and logging into the matchmaking system can be a bit cumbersome but everything works fine once that is out of the way.

Neuroshima Hex is the iOS port of a popular sci-fi strategy board game that uses a hex grid playing field and hex shaped units that players place on the field in an attempt to destroy opponent bases. The inclusion of several different races, each with their own unique units and abilities in battle make this game both complex and very competitive. There are many different strategic options in each game and online multiplayer finally lets players experience the game in the best way. The addition of multiplayer also makes this game a complete title and fills the last outstanding gap in what was already a great game on the iPad.

iPhone Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

iPad Screenshots

Review disclosure: note that the product reviewed on this page may have been provided to us by the developer for the purposes of this review. Note that if the developer provides the product or not, this does not impact the review or score.